Control device



Dec. 3, 1935. F. A. WALKER CONTROL DEVICE Filed May 4, 1955 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a control device for the Wire of a Fourdrinier paper making machine or other traveling elements, such as webs of paper in bag making machines, etc., webs 5 of cloth in tentering machines, looms, etc., conveying belts, and many other devices in which a web is driven by suitable rolls. In practically all machines of this type there is absolute necessity for exact registry of the web or substantial 10 maintenance of the web in its normal course.

The invention relates to an improvement applicable to any controlling apparatus constructed and arranged to shift the web to its normal position in case of a deflection to either side.

15 I have illustrated and described the invention in connection with a Fourdrinier paper making machine inasmuch as its greatest utility is in connection therewith. The drawing, however, is by way of illustration of the device and not as a 20 limitation upon its use. The invention resides in the pan or element which contacts the edge of the wire or other web and controls the device which corrects the travel of the wire. I have illustrated my invention as applied to a roll' shifting device such as described and claimed in the United States Letters Patent No. 1,205,661,

issued to Louis M. Plansoen on November 21,

1916. This illustration is by way of showing one form of web shifting device to which my inven- 3 'tion may be applied, and is not meant to limit the application thereof to the single form. Obviously my invention may replace any contacting element now in use in any roll shifting or other web controlling mechanism.

35 The primary object of this invention is to devise a web contacting element of such a nature that it will not become worn and grooved as-with prior types of web contacting elements. A secondary object of this invention is to devise a web contacting element which will not be pitted or otherwise affected by chemical agents present in the paper mixture, or any other chemical mixtures which may be conveyed on a wire or belt as in the Fourdrinier machine. Other objects and 45 advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Referring to the drawing:

50 Fig. 1 is a side elevation schematically representing a portion of a Fourdrinier machine to which the invention is applied;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the invention; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation in cross section showing the invention in use.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is represented at IU a portion of the frame of a Fourdrinier machine wherein an endless wire screen II of the usual construction is passed about a couch-roll I2. The

return lap of the wire is guided by suitable rolls, 5

such as roll I3, to the wet end of the paper machine (not shown).

The wire is controlled in its travel by a guide roll I4, suitably mounted as detailed in the aforementioned patent to be shifted angularly with relation to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The shifting is automatically accomplished in response to deviations from normal course of the wire I I and corrects such deviations. Roll Hi may be shifted in either direction so as to correct deviation to either side. The shifting of the roll is accomplished by an element I5 contacting the wire and mounted upon a pivoted rod I6. Tipping of rod I6 causes reciprocation, in either direction, of a rod I! which is connected thereto 0 through a bell crank Ill. Rod I! is connected to a lever which rocks a double-armed pawl 2! in either direction. The roll I4 is positively driven in the usual fashion (by mechanism not shown) and has a gear 22 afiixed to its shaft and meshing with and driving a gear 23 to which is attached a crank pin 24 reciprocating a pitman 25. Lever 20 and pawl 2| are mounted upon one arm of a pivotally mounted rocking member 26 attached to and rocked by pitman 25. 30 As the wire II shifts to one side or the other the element I5 will cause movement of rod l1 and the engagement of one arm or the other of pawl 2I with the teeth of a ratchet 21 so as to rotate the ratchet in either direction. Rachet 21 is suitably connected toa worm and gear (not shown) associated with the end of roll I4. The said gear is threaded on a fixed threaded rod 28 whereby rotation of the ratchet 21 will cause shifting of the end of the roll I4 in one direction or the other longitudinally of the machine. This shifting changes the angular relationship of the roll and the wire and thereby corrects the deviation of the wire. Further details and explanation of the roll shifting mechanism will be apparent from an inspection of the aforementioned patent. The invention comprises a revolving pan to be substituted for the web contacting element in the device of the aforementioned patent, or in any other web controlling device. The invention comprises a pan l5 having a fiat surface and a rounded edge terminating in a flange 40. An externally threaded bearing socket 4! is mounted at the center of the rear face of the pan. Situated within the bearing socket are spaced rings 42, 43 forming therebetween a bearing raceway within which are located ball bearings 44. Suitable forms of bearings may be substituted, the ball bearing type being by way of illustration. The inner ring 43 surrounds a mounting stud 45 by means of which the pan may be attached to the controlling levers of the roll shifting device. By way of illustration, the pin 45 is threaded and is retained in a coupling elbow 46 by means of a nut 41, the elbow being fixed to the pivoted rod I6. A bearing retaining cup 48 is screwed onto the bearing socket in order to retain'the bearing in position.

The connection of the coupling elbow 46 to rod I 6 is adjustable, as by means of the setscrew 50, in order that the pan may be raised or lowered with respect to the guided web. In the paper machine, as well as in most other mechanisms, the relationship of the guided web is preferably such that it contacts the surface of the pan above the mounting pin 45. In a Fourclrinier machine particularly, the best position is such that the wire 5| passes about halfway between the mounting pin 45 and the edge of the pan. Due to the ball bearing mounting thereof the pan is revolved by a very light contact with the travelling web thereby preventing the formation of grooves as is usual with the ordinary fixed element of the usual wire guide. The formation of grooves occurs rapidly with a fixed element and leads to much greater expense than the mere replacement of the contacting element inasmuch as the edge of the wire is also ruined by the abrading action. With the use of this invention not only is the life of the revolving pan infinite, but the life of the more expensive wire is correspondingly increased. It will be apparent that the absence of abrading action will be decidedly important in connection with machines for performing operations upon paper, cloth and other webs.

In order to increase the smoothness of the surface of the pan and to increase its life it has been plated with a layer 52 of chromium. Other relatively inert metals or acid-resistant materials may be substituted for the chromium plating, but the cheapness, ease of application and suitability of chromium makes it definitely the best surfacing material. Any such element in a paper machine is subjected to continual contact with acidic and basic fluids. I have found that chromium is a suitable material to resist the continual change from acidic to basic attack whereby ordinary base metals are quickly corroded and pitted. This is particularly important in a Fourdrinier machine, but is likewise important in many other machines wherein moist compositions are handled. Chromium is capable of receiving a high polish, which further reduces abrasion of the element or the web.

In referring to a web guided by the foregoing mechanism there is meant any traveling, elongated element, such as the wire of a Fourdrinier machine, a conveying belt, a web of paper, rubber or cloth, and many other apparent structures.

Modifications in construction and arrangement of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe :art and I do not intend to be limited to the exact construction shown except insofar as determined by the scope of the following claims, which are to be broadlyconstrued.

I claim:

1. In a web controlling apparatus, the combination, with a travelling web subject to lateral deviations from a normal path, of a control device effecting corrective regulation of the web including a tiltable lever, a disc having a flat face maintained in contact with an edge of the web, and means on said lever supporting said disc for rotation in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the web.

2. In a web controlling apparatus, the combination, with a travelling web subject to lateral deviations from a normal path, of a control device effecting corrective regulation of the Web including a tiltable lever, a disc having a flat face maintained in contact with an edge of the web, and means comprising a mounting stud on said lever and anti-friction means associated with said stud and supporting said disc for rotation in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the web.

3. As a sub-combination for use in connection with a web controlling device, a lever arm, a flat disc rotatively mounted on said arm and adapted to engage along its face the edge of the web to be controlled, and means for mounting said lever to actuate the controlling device in connection with which the same is used.

FRANK ADLAI WALKER. 

